Ford 10R80 reliability: years to avoid, problems & recalls

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Ford's own service bulletins document harsh or delayed engagement and shifts on 10R80-equipped 2017–2020 F-150, 2018–2021 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang, and 2019–2023 Ranger models, with repairs ranging from a valve-body overhaul to a clutch-cylinder replacement. NHTSA recalls cover the 2021 F-150 (unexpected shift to neutral), a 2018–2021 park-pawl problem, and a 2024–2025 valve-body machining defect. We found no Ford warranty extension for 10R80 shift quality.

Ford 10R80 at a glance

Ford 10R80 10-speed automatic (rear-wheel-drive): key facts
FactDetail
TypeConventional automatic
Forward speeds10
Built byFord (Livonia, Michigan and Sharonville, Ohio transmission plants)
Used byFord, Lincoln
Years in use2017–present (US)
Also known as10R80, 10R80 MHT (hybrid version)
Transmission-related NHTSA recalls listed9
Warranty extensions / special coverage listed0
Court settlements listed0

What the Ford 10R80 is

The 10R80 is Ford's 10-speed automatic for rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Ford's service bulletins and recall filings identify it in the F-150 from 2017, the Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Mustang from 2018, the Ranger from 2019, and the Transit, with a hybrid version (10R80 MHT) in some F-150, Explorer and Aviator models. Ford lists 10R transmissions among the products of its Livonia, Michigan plant and finished 10R80 transmissions at its Sharonville, Ohio plant.

The transmission uses adaptive shift calibration that learns over time. Ford's bulletins describe harsh or delayed shifts that may result from the adaptive calibration not keeping up with hardware break-in, sticking valve-body components, or movement of a clutch-cylinder sleeve causing hydraulic leaks. Separately, the related 10R60 is used in some Explorer, Aviator and Bronco versions.

Which vehicles use the Ford 10R80?

Makes, models and model years equipped with the Ford 10R80
MakeModelModel yearsNotes
FordF-1502017–2025Named in TSBs 23-2123 (2017–2020) and 24-2254 (2021–2022) and recall 25V-164 (2024–2025); hybrid uses the 10R80 MHT[1][2][3]
FordExpedition2018–2022[1][2]
LincolnNavigator2018–2022[1][2]
FordMustang2018–2022, 2025Automatic models[1][2][3]
FordRanger2019–2024[1][3]
FordTransit2020–2023Per TSB 24-2254[2]
FordExplorer2020–2022, 2025Some versions; others use the 10R60 or the 10R80 MHT hybrid[2][3][4]
FordBronco2024–2025Some versions, per recall 25V-164 filing[3]

Ford 10R80 years to avoid vs. safer years

“Years to avoid” here means the model years with the most documented action — recalls, manufacturer warranty extensions or court settlements — not a prediction about any single vehicle. A car from these years with completed repairs and good records can be a sound buy; one without them deserves a closer look.

Model years with the most documented problems

  • 2017–2020 Ford F-150 (10R80) — Named in Ford TSB 23-2123 for harsh or delayed engagement and shifts, plus early shift-linkage and Park recalls (17V-671, 18V-213, 18V-214, 20V-197).[1][10][11]
  • 2021 Ford F-150 (10R80) — Recalled for an unexpected shift to neutral (22V-188, redone under 25V-169) and included in the 26V-402 park-pawl recall.[5][7][8]
  • 2018–2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator — Named in TSB 23-2123 for harsh or delayed shifts and recalled under 26V-402 for a park pawl that can engage while moving.[1][8]
  • 2019–2023 Ford Ranger — Named in Ford TSB 23-2123 for harsh or delayed engagement and shifts on 10R80-equipped trucks.[1]

Known Ford 10R80 problems

Harsh or delayed engagement and shifts (2017–2023)

Ford TSB 23-2123 says some 2017–2020 F-150, 2018–2021 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang, and 2019–2023 Ranger vehicles with the 10R80 may have harsh engagement, harsh shifts or delayed shifts, possibly with a check-engine light, which may be due to the adaptive calibration being unable to adapt to hardware break-in; the fix is a main control valve body overhaul and/or an adaptive learning drive cycle. TSB 24-2254 covers some 2020–2023 vehicles built on or before Aug. 15, 2022 and attributes the same symptoms to movement of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve causing hydraulic leaks, fixed by replacing the clutch cylinder if needed.[1][2]

Reported symptoms

  • Harsh engagement into Drive or Reverse
  • Harsh or delayed upshifts and downshifts
  • Check-engine light with transmission codes (for example P0751–P0772, P2700–P2708, P0729–P0736)

Unexpected shift to neutral (2021 F-150) (2021)

Ford's recall filing 22V-188 says a transmission calibration diagnostic was inadvertently activated on certain 2021 F-150s with the 10R80 and no Auto Start-Stop, so a false low-fluid-pressure code could shift the transmission into neutral while driving, with a wrench light. The remedy is PCM software; recall 25V-169 covers trucks repaired incorrectly the first time.[5][6][7]

Reported symptoms

  • Sudden loss of drive with the transmission in neutral
  • Wrench light on the instrument cluster

Park pawl can engage while moving (2018–2021)

Recall 26V-402 covers about 741,000 vehicles with park-by-wire, including 2018–2021 Expedition and Navigator and 2021 F-150 with the 10R80. Ford says the parking pawl may engage temporarily while the vehicle is moving during certain commanded shifts, potentially damaging park-system parts. Ford's remedy is PCM software plus inspection and replacement of damaged transmission parts.[8][4]

Reported symptoms

  • Noise or jolt from the transmission during certain shifts
  • Vehicle not holding in Park after park-system damage

Incorrectly machined valve body (2024–2025) (2024–2025)

Recall 25V-164 covers 269 10R80-equipped vehicles whose transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse-gear failure or unexpected forward movement in Reverse or Neutral. Dealers replace the main control valve body.[9][3]

Reported symptoms

  • No Reverse
  • Vehicle creeps forward in Reverse or Neutral

Ford 10R80 recalls

Transmission-related NHTSA safety recalls (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaignReportedVehiclesSummary
17V6712017-10-242017 Ford F-150 with ten-speed transmission11,783 vehiclesPin attaching the shift linkage to the transmission may come out, so the transmission may not respond to the shift lever (Ford 17S36).[10]
18V2132018-04-042017–2018 F-150; 2018 Expedition, Mustang, Lincoln Navigator with 10-speed automatic142 vehiclesA roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, which can cause loss of the Park function (Ford 18S09).[11]
18V2142018-04-042018 F-150 and Expedition with 10-speed automatic (also 2018 F-650/F-750 with 6-speed)292,909 vehiclesGear shift cable clip may not be seated, so the transmission can be in a different gear than the shift lever shows (Ford 18S10). Unit count includes the F-650/F-750.[12]
19V3662019-05-132019 Ford Ranger2,534 vehiclesFasteners attaching the shifter cable bracket to the transmission may loosen, so the transmission can be in a different gear than indicated.[13]
20V1972020-04-032020 Ranger and F-150 with 10-speed automatic; some 2020 Expedition police55,158 vehiclesShift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, so the actual gear may differ from the selected gear (Ford 20S18).[14]
22V1882022-03-252021 Ford F-150 (10R80)47,084 vehiclesFalse low-transmission-fluid-pressure code can shift the transmission into neutral; dealers update PCM software (Ford 22S15).[5]
25V1642025-03-142024–2025 F-150, Bronco; 2024 Ranger; 2025 Mustang, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator (10R80)269 vehiclesValve body may be machined incorrectly, causing reverse-gear failure or forward movement in Reverse or Neutral; dealers replace the main control valve body (Ford 25S19).[9]
25V1692025-03-142021 Ford F-150 repaired incorrectly under 22V-188567 vehiclesSame false low-pressure/neutral condition; dealers update PCM software (Ford 25S24).[7]
26V4022026-06-242018–2021 Expedition, Navigator and 2021 F-150 (10R80); 2020–2021 Explorer, Aviator (10R60 or 10R80 MHT)741,195 vehiclesPark pawl may engage while moving, damaging the park system; dealers update PCM software and replace damaged parts.[8]

Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of age or owner. Check a specific car by its 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the CarWhere recall check.

Buying a used car with the Ford 10R80: what to check

  1. Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm any applicable 10-speed recalls (for example 22V-188, 25V-169, 25V-164, 26V-402) show as remedied.
  2. Ask a Ford dealer for the VIN's service history, including any work under TSB 23-2123 or 24-2254 (valve body overhaul, clutch cylinder replacement, adaptive relearn).
  3. Test-drive cold and warm, including stop-and-go traffic, and note harsh engagement into Drive or Reverse and any harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Scan for stored transmission codes; Ford's bulletins list codes such as P0751–P0772 and P2700–P2708 with these symptoms.
  5. Check that Park holds firmly on a slope before buying a 2018–2021 Expedition, Navigator or 2021 F-150 with an open 26V-402 recall.

Related research

Year-by-year verdicts for models with the Ford 10R80

Engines and model known-issues pages

Compare other transmissions

All transmissions: reliability and years to avoid

Frequently asked questions

Does the Ford 10R80 have a known shifting problem?

Ford has documented one in its own service bulletins. TSB 23-2123 covers harsh or delayed engagement and shifts on 2017–2020 F-150, 2018–2021 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang, and 2019–2023 Ranger models, and TSB 24-2254 covers some 2020–2023 vehicles built through Aug. 15, 2022. These are service bulletins, not recalls, so repairs depend on warranty status.

Is there a 10R80 recall?

Yes, several recalls involve 10R80-equipped vehicles, but none covers harsh shifting. They include 22V-188 (2021 F-150 shifting into neutral), 26V-402 (park pawl engaging while moving on 2018–2021 Expedition and Navigator and 2021 F-150), 25V-164 (2024–2025 valve-body machining) and earlier shift-linkage and Park recalls on 2017–2020 models.

Has Ford extended the warranty on the 10R80?

We found no Ford warranty extension or customer satisfaction program for 10R80 shift quality. Repairs under TSBs 23-2123 and 24-2254 are covered only while the vehicle is within its original Ford warranty, so ask a dealer to check the VIN's coverage before buying an older truck.

Which vehicles use the Ford 10R80?

Ford documents identify the 10R80 in the F-150 from 2017, the Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Mustang from 2018, the Ranger from 2019, the Transit, and some Explorer and Bronco versions. Hybrid F-150, Explorer and Aviator models use a hybrid version, the 10R80 MHT, while other Explorer, Aviator and Bronco versions use the related 10R60.

How CarWhere compiled this page

Every problem, recall, warranty extension and settlement above is CarWhere’s own summary of a primary record — NHTSA recall campaigns, manufacturer service bulletins and warranty-extension notices filed with NHTSA, manufacturer press material, and court or settlement-administrator records — and is numbered to its source below. We list a model year under “years to avoid” only when a manufacturer, regulator or court record ties it to the transmission. Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public owner-complaint data, counted once per complaint. We do not estimate failure rates or repair costs. See also the years-to-avoid methodology.

Sources

Descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the records below. Recall details are as reported to NHTSA by the manufacturer.

  1. TSB 23-2123: 10R80 – harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift (Apr 13, 2023; supersedes 22-2139) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  2. TSB 24-2254: 10R80 transmission – harsh/delayed engagement and/or shift, built on or before Aug 15, 2022 (Aug 23, 2024) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  3. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V-164 (affected vehicles equipped with 10R80) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  4. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V-402 (10R80 in F-150, Expedition, Navigator; 10R60 or 10R80 MHT in Explorer, Aviator) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  5. NHTSA recall 22V-188: 2021 F-150 – false low-pressure code shifts to neutral — NHTSA
  6. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-188 (2021 F-150 with 10R80) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  7. NHTSA recall 25V-169: 2021 F-150 repaired incorrectly under 22V-188 — NHTSA
  8. NHTSA recall 26V-402: 2018–2021 Expedition/Navigator, 2020–2021 Explorer/Aviator, 2021 F-150 – park pawl may engage while moving — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA recall 25V-164: 2024–2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, Aviator – valve body machining — NHTSA
  10. NHTSA recall 17V-671: 2017 F-150 with ten-speed transmission – shift linkage pin — NHTSA
  11. NHTSA recall 18V-213: 2017–2018 F-150, 2018 Expedition, Mustang, Navigator 10-speed – missing roll pin, loss of Park — NHTSA
  12. NHTSA recall 18V-214: 2018 F-150 and Expedition 10-speed – shift cable clip — NHTSA
  13. NHTSA recall 19V-366: 2019 Ranger – shifter cable bracket fasteners — NHTSA
  14. NHTSA recall 20V-197: 2020 Ranger, F-150 10-speed; Expedition police – shift cable lock clip — NHTSA
  15. Ford global plants: Livonia and Sharonville transmission plants — Ford Motor Company
  16. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V-236 (2021–2025 Bronco; component listed as 10R60 transmission) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer or transmission supplier. Product and model names are trademarks of their owners.